Okay check it out...in the next few months I'll be dropping a new engine in my '94 C1500. I want this 335hp remanufactured turn-key 350 from Phoenix Engine with a one year warranty. It's the best deal for the money I've found anywhere. The only negative thing I can think of is that Phoenix Engine is located about 1600 miles that-a-way and if something happens to it...I'm pretty much screwed. Anyway, I'm also going to rebuild the 4L60E tranny and probably get a brand new rear end. I just want to get everyone's take on this. I'll be going from a TBI setup to a carbureted one, which some people have said is not the best idea, but screw it. This will also clean up the engine bay, get rid of most of the electronics, add about 135 horses, and not to mention, it will look really pretty. I want to get this done ASAP, because the last owner DID NOT take care of this truck at all, it's leaking oil from three spots, the engine has over 210k miles, and gets about 12 MPG (seriously).

Personally I wouldn't do any of what you plan. $3,500 for the engine, probably $1,000 for the tranny and rear end, another $500 in misc parts (redoing fuel lines, new brakes, etc). So now you are up to half the cost of a pretty decent newer used truck. I just cannot see you getting your moneys worth out of this. The truck had a good run, let it die with pride instead of putting it on life support.
Unless it is in that good of shape, and if that's the case your a . Trucks are made to be used and beat on. LOL

for the money you should just sell the truck, buy a 96-98 poppet valve vortec and put a 6.0 liter in it. you can buy 6.0's for about a grand, easy wiring harness is about $700 and the transmission will already work with the 6.0. i would just put a good converter in it while it was down. either that or get a 99+ truck and direct bolt a 6.0 in it with no need for any other parts. everything plugs right in and looks stock.

Or just take your block in and have it gone through. Swap on a set of Vortec heads (the bolt on and add 35 - 45 HP), 4bbl manifold and carb, Energizer cam and lifters and a set of headers. That should get you near that 350hp mark and probably be a lot cheaper. Also I'd dump the electronic tranny and swap in a 700R4.

Alot of people are nay-saying about the carb'd setup, but I think it would be kick-ass to see a realtively newer truck with a old-school carbureted small block under the hood. I don't think putting a brand new engine in it could be called "life support"...continuing to put oil in the engine it has now would be more like life support.

The 4L60E is an upgraded 700R. This thing is pretty much my toy...not unlike a project car. If I just wanted to bring her back to life, I could order a GM 350 truck crate which is exactly like the one I have now for around $1,200, but I'd still be stuck with the restrictive heads and 200 horsepower.

Don't you go to swap meets or JY's? You can pick up a set of Vortec heads for next to nothing (well around $100).

I'm not knocking the carb at all. I'm just saying spend your money wisely. There is no need to go 1,600 miles and spend $3,500 when someone near by can give you the same power at a closer distance and similar price.

Bidding starts at a buck.
Looks like they blew a manifold gasket and where burning some coolant. So new valves, guides and seals are a definite. Little bit of work with the Dremel and a deck and they'd be good as new.

go to a junkyard and pull a decent 350 out of any number of gm cars/trucks. Whether its gen1,2, or 3 it will serve you well. Have it stripped, hone the cylinders, rebuild it with decent heads and cam, and you will def be in the 350 hp range!

ditch the TBI. those are the worst kind of fuel injection. get yourself a good fuel injection setup. its gonna get the same or worse mileage with the carb setup. i wouldnt go carb. TPiS sells great fuel injection kits for early model chevy v8's. honestly i would just get a lq9 6.0L and an easy wiring harness and put in it. stock they have about the same hp and torque your looking for. then add a heads cam package later and bump it up to about 450-500hp.

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